Shane's pov
I should have known better. But you let yourself get hope, hope that for once life will be normal. My wife. My job. My friends. But no, it always comes back to the unknown fear.
Like today, sitting in Amelie's office, with what I can only describe as the battle council of Morganville. You have me, Claire, Michael and Eve along with Hannah, Hess and Lowe- human. With the vamps being only three Amelie, Oliver and Myrnin… honestly I don't care what Claire says about that guy, he's still weird…slippers… slippers in a meeting.
Anyway we've been here for hours, the clock has been ticking by hour after hour but with no real change in the dynamic of the table. Amelie sits cold, and unmoving at the head of the table; strands fallen from her golden crown of hair. It takes a lot for a vampire to show any emotion, but right now I know she's stressed.
How could she not be?
The announcement came out this morning, all residents (both breathing and blood-sucking) need to attend a town meeting- none attenders will be punished. My dad used to say that people say what they think you want to hear, until they feel they can say what they want, that's when you know to fight. I can't help feeling that's what is happening now. Funny isn't suddenly Amelie is demanding, not welcoming. I don't know how people will take it. For nearly a year now we've been free... well as free living in Morganville allows.
Claire's talking again, the creases in her brow shows how deep in thought she is, we don't know but somehow running out of ideas of impossible. In losing ideas we lose hope.
"But how do you know they aren't sick?"
It keeps coming back to this, Amelie is certain they aren't but Claire won't let it go, she knows something; or is suspicious of it.
Amelie raises her head to look at Claire, the ageless vamp no longer looks as ageless; her eyes are those that have seen battle after battle and won, only just.
"They can't be. We're cured. They are too skilled to be sick!" Amelie's patience is thin, her voice is rough with aggression.
"No, they might be… they might just want help! You were ill Amelie, and you were still sane!"
Shouting, just what we need. I kinda feel like reminding her it's the founder, bloodsucking yes. Powerful? Hell yeah!
"If you won't listen Amelie, then what's the point? You may want to watch Morganville fall, but I don't!"
And as if she has the power; my sweet, calming wife storms from the room.
Why do I know this just isn't going to end well?
Blood-suckers suck. Period.